Islamabad, July 27 (PTI) The Pakistan government has set up a joint investigation committee to identify those involved in creating unrest in the country through a “malicious social media campaign”, it was said on Saturday.
No parties or individuals that may be targeted in the investigations have been disclosed, but analysts say the move could target jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the Joint Investigation Committee (JIT) has been set up under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, and is headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi.
The other four members include the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime chief, its Counter Terrorism chief, Islamabad’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Investigation) and Senior Inspector General of Police for Counter Terrorism Department.
According to the notice, the JIT can “recruit” other members as and when required.
The notice said the JIT would “investigate and identify the coordinated objectives of the suspects and their accomplices in creating chaos and disorder in Pakistan through malicious social media campaigns.” The JIT will “identify and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with applicable law,” and the Islamabad Police Headquarters will provide administrative support to the JIT.
The notice did not specify which political parties or organisations would be investigated, but the PTI and its leaders are often accused of using social media to carry out propaganda against leadership institutions such as the state and the military.
The move follows the arrest of PTI’s Information Secretary Raoof Hasan on Monday. Hasan, along with 11 other PTI supporters, was booked by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing under Sections 9 (glorification of crime), 10 (cyber terrorism) and 11 (electronic forgery) of PECA. PTI SH NPK NPK NPK
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